Miami, FL – April 21, 2020 – Tiago Magro and Marcel Katz’s The Art Plug present “Isolation”, a quarantine exercise art installation that had artist Tiago Magro embark on a challenging week-long journey of secluded creative expression. Magro locked  himself into a local Miami gallery for a week, pushing the city’s self-quarantine recommendations to the extreme, and tirelessly worked over the course of the 10 days. Magro covered over 3,000 square feet of white walls in his signature multimedia graffiti, collage style, creating a fully immersive creative environment.

As global circumstances have radically shifted the lives of every person around the world, many people sit frozen, both emotionally and mentally stunned by it all, as well as barred from leaving their home and interacting with others for non-essential purposes. The creative industry is a notably affected niche, as many artists rely on other local businesses, events, and so on to find work. Tiago Magro has one thing to say to these circumstances: “Art can’t stop.” Art can’t stop, for his own sake and those around him.

Millions of people around the world look to artists as their creative outlet, seeking to find the emotional expression they can’t uncover themselves. People look to artists for entertainment and for inspiration, to be able to attach to a certain feeling and detach from the rest of the world. People need the light that art brings in their lives now more than ever–for that reason, art can’t stop.

Read the full Q&A on Magro, as we safely went behind the scenes to see his work in action.

WRE: You’re taking the meaning of quarantine to another level by locking yourself into a local Miami gallery for a week and creating your work in a 3,000 square feet gallery. How did you come up with this idea?

Tiago Magro: The idea was created in the wake of the national shutdown in mid-March that caused a bit of havoc around the country. Industries across the board were severely impacted, particularly the creative industry. Galleries shut their doors, events have been cancelled, and looming financial crises greatly changes spending habits on art.

One evening, while working at my studio, one thought became crystal clear to me – art can not stop. Art has been around for thousands of years, never ceasing despite any circumstances, often inspired by trials and tribulations.

For myself, art is a necessity, I can not go without expressing myself through my art. So despite quarantine, I knew I have to continue with my process. But I also thought about all the people who consider themselves fans of art — art cannot stop for them, as well. They look to artists for inspiration and expression, so we have to keep creating for everyone.

Once I started to roll with the idea of taking things to an extreme and creating an installation that others could withness and experience , I approached my friend Luciano who owns a space (Art & Design Gallery) that was vacant due to quarantine and Marcel (aka The Art Pug) with the concept to develop, which turned into what it became.

WRE: How did you get connected with #WRECares? 

TM: World Red Eye have always been supporters of mine via my agent Marcel Katz/The Art Plug. A big shoutout to my team there who helped bring this idea to contribute to a great cause. Both this installation and #WREcares are rooted in the same feeling of persistence and inspiration. It’s always a pleasure with you guys.

WRE: We love your saying “Art can’t stop”. As the entire world is on pause during this difficult time how do you use your art as a message of positivity and strength?

TM: It can’t stop, ever! Aesthetically, I approached it to push positivity and a certain light, so I used true vibrant colors (yellows, pinks, blues) to really pop and brighten the space. The heart is a key symbol in all of my work, so using that obviously pushes a positive message of love. I believe my art brings a feeling that something wonderful is about to happen.

I also think the positivity and strength was shown in the act itself – the endurance, diligence, and work ethic it required to paint long hours, day and night, for almost 10 full days. Despite the adversity, I set out on a mission to continue working and creating, for myself and all those watching.

For myself, art is a necessity, I can not go without expressing myself through my art. So despite quarantine, I knew I have to continue with my process.

Tiago Magro

WRE: Did you be sleep at the gallery? How did you get food?

TM: Yes, I was in the gallery 24/7 from Monday, March 6 to Wednesday, March 15. It was a battle! I was still able to use delivery options and thanks to a very loving community, I was sent food from all different local businesses from friends and family!

WRE: What is the overall message of this piece? 

TM: The piece will hopefully inspire others to do their best to keep their head up and grind through this. While some face health issues and other face financial concerns, we must all keep hope for better days. We are in this together, and together we are better. This is love in action! Art. can. not. stop.

The piece will hopefully inspire others to do their best to keep their head up and grind through this. While some face health issues and other face financial concerns, we must all keep hope for better days.

Tiago Magro

WRE: What elements will you be using to create this piece? 

TM: I use a unique collage style of different mediums in all of my work. This piece will be collages of old LIFE magazines, posters, newspaper, and then layers of spray paint (shoutout to Loop Colors!), latex paint, canvas, etc.

The heart is a key symbol in all of my work, so using that obviously pushes a positive message of love. I believe my art brings a feeling that something wonderful is about to happen.

Tiago Magro